As the curtain closed for the last time this season at Stadium MK, the Dons were forced to rue missed opportunities as Portsmouth snatch a late equaliser to deny the Dons all 3 points.
Mollie Coupar once again found the back of the net, as she notched up her 27th goal for the current campaign. But Ali Hall left it late, as she arrived unmarked in the Don’s penalty area and found the back of the net with a powerful header.
In a first half that didn’t have too much to offer in terms of major quality. Portsmouth had the first major chance of the game that brought a fine save from Sansom in goal. As Sansom collected Annie Rolf’s will hit volleyed effort.
Once again, the Dons keeper had to be called upon after smart work from Rolf, Rolf managed to play the ball over the Dons back line. As Scott managed to get in behind, but Scott shot was once again well saved from Sansom keeping the score at 0-0
But after 39 minutes the Dons were able to take the lead once again in part to Mollie Coupar’s clinical finish. After quick thinking from a throw-in Newman was able to pick out Laura Mitchell. Mitchell drove passed her defender and was able to cross the ball into the area, as the ball bounced off Puddick and then pinballed around the Pompey area, eventually the ball made its way to the feet of Coupar. Coupar was quickest to react, and as any quality striker does, she found the back of the net. 1-0
The Second Half started as much as the first half ended. Both sides were evenly matched, Jay Sadler made some tactical changes into the second half to see if he could force a result. But the Dons were set up to be very organised and their hard work was paying off.
The Dons thought they had a second goal as Mollie Coupar once again put the ball in the net. But the referee blew his whistle to disallow the goal, after brave keeping from Hannah Haughton putting her body on the line, Coupar made contact with Haughton resulting in Haughton needing treatment for a number of minutes.
But Pompey were to be rewarded late into the game as they managed to get back on level terms thanks to a late free kick. Nicole Barrett swung the ball into the Dons area, and Hall was able to find herself unmarked in the middle of the Dons penalty area, and powered a header passed Sansom in goal. 1-1
But even more drama was to happen after the goal, Dons holding midfielder Gemma Biggadike was given a yellow card and sent to the SinBin. Causing the Dons to hold on for the final few minutes as Pompey went in search of the winner. But alas this goal didn’t appear, and the game ended in a draw as both sides took a share of the points.
MK Dons: Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Rush, Miles, Gould (McLean 73), Barratt, Coupar (Brown 89), Mitchell (Wilson 73), Newman
Unused Subs: Samuels, Weltham
Goals – Coupar (38,)
Portsmouth: Haughton, Bell (Wild 63), Gane, Rowe (C), Barrett, Rowbotham, Macdonald (Hall 63), Rolf, Scott (Goulden 85), Harney (Jones 63), Quirk
Unused Subs: Collins
Goals – Hall (90+2,)
Attendance – 505
Images: Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk/photography
